322 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
AprU 11, 13&6. 
Certificates and Awards op Merit. 
Amaryllis Chimere (J. Veitch & Sons).—The segments of this superb 
Amaryllis are of great size, the colour being whitish green with bright 
rose marking on the upper portion of the bloom (award of merit). 
Amaryllis Doris (J. Veitch & Sons).—The flowers of this variety are 
of handsome form and substance, though somewhat small. The colour 
is a very rich deep velvety crimson (award of merit). 
Anthurium comimctuin (VV. Bain).—This is a very charming form of 
dwarf habit. The spathe is white, spotted and patched with bright 
scarlet (award of merit). 
Ataccia cristata (\V. Bain) —This is a very old but still rare plant 
of botanical interest. The flowers are chocolate brown in colour, borne 
in umbels, and are of very curious formation (first-class certificate). 
Lcsliaflava auran,tiaca (E. Hill).—The blooms of this Orchid are of 
a very rich orange shade, the throat being sparsely striped crimson 
(award of merit). 
Odontoglossum triumpTians, Lionel Craioshay (De B, Crawshay).— 
This is an exceedingly handsome form of the type. The blooms are 
large and very rich in colour. The sepals are clear yellow with bright 
brown patches and a yellow margin, the petals, which are broad and of 
great substance, being of the same rich colour. The lip is a fine feature. 
It has a yellow fimbriated margin, with a broad reddish brown patch 
and a canary yellow throat. This variety, which received the only 
first-class certificate awarded to an Orchid on the occasion, was promptly 
sketched by our artist for the illustration (fig. 53, page 307). 
Saxifraga Boydi alba (Paul & Son).—This beautiful little alpine 
Saxifrage has pure white blooms of good size (award of merit). 
LIVERPOOL SPRING SHOW. 
After a discontinuance for a season, the spring show was again 
revived in St. George’s Hall. The show, for beauty and quality, was 
pronounced by competent judges a long way ahead of either Preston or 
the Crystal Palace. Professional gardeners contributed handsome 
specimens, the majority of classes being well contested, whilst the trade 
assisted in every possible way, the greatest feature amongst the latter 
being the gorgeous Amaryllis staged by Messrs. K. P. Ker & Sons, 
Aigburth Nursery, which secured a special gold medal. 
The Orchids were splendid, showing great progress, most noticeable 
being a handsome Dendrobium Ainsworthi, carrying 2400 flowers, 
staged by Mr. J. Bracegirdle, gardener to the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. 
Hyacinths and Tulips were admirably grown, the Judges having the 
greatest diiBculty in awarding the prizes. The only weak feature in 
the show was the Azaleas, although a few grand specimens were brought. 
Boxes of Roses arranged for effect were also a great feature, more 
particularly the first one, put up by Mr. J. Carling, gardener to Mrs. 
Cope, Dove Park, Woolton. 
For a table of miscellaneous plants arranged for effect Mr. J. Brace¬ 
girdle was the only exhibitor, but a most pleasing arrangement resulted. 
The centre contained a small Cocos, and the four corners being 
small Crotons. These were banked with Maidenhair Ferns, Tulips and 
Orchids being used as dot plants. Three competed for ten pots 
of hardy, herbaceous, and bulbous plants Mr. J. Grant, gardener to 
W. S. Gladstone, Eiq., Thornlea, Aigburth, being an easy first, Mr. 
T. Hitchman, gardener to Arthur Earle, Esq., Childwall Lodge, being 
second. Mr. Grant also won with six pots of Daffodils, certainly 
amongst the best ever staged in the Hall, Empress, Horsefieldi, Henry 
Irving, and Princeps being conspicuous, Mr. VV. Kneale, gardener to 
Lieut.-Col. Gaskell, Woolton, being a fine second. For eighteen 
Hyacinths Mr. T. Wilson, gardener to 0. H. Williams, Esq., succeeded 
in winning with a very even stand. The best were Vuurbaak, Lord 
Percy, Grand Maitre, The Sultan. Lady Derby, and La Deuil, Mr. 
C. Waring, gardener to Mrs. Jno. Aiken, Grassendale, was a good second, 
with Mr, T. Hitchman a close third. For twelve the first and second as 
in the preceding class won, Mr. Jas. Agnew, gardener to Mrs. Watts, 
Grassendale, winning for six. 
It would be idle to criticise tbe Tulips, so even were they, Mr. James 
Grant winning with a good twelve ; Mr. Holford, gardener to C. Maclver, 
Esq., Heswall, being second. For six doubles and six singles, Mr. J. 
Williams, gardener to C. J. Procter, Esq., Boscobel, Cheshire, secured 
the prizes with very fresh examples. Amaryllis were most handsomely 
shown by Mr. T. Johnson, gardener to G. W, Moss, Esq., who staged 
massive and shapely flowers. Considering the adverse season, stove 
and greenhouse plants were in good condition, Mr. B. Cromwell, 
gardener to J. Sutton Timmins, Esq., Cleveley, Allerton, being first with 
a capital Anthurium Scherzerianum, well-flowered Dendrobium nobile, 
and a charming white Azalea, two fine Palms, and a well-coloured 
Croton completing the six : Mr. R. Pinnington, gardener to Mrs. Banner, 
being second, Mr. Cromwell was also first for the most beautiful six 
forced hardy plants ever seen at Liverpool. Two charming Clematis, 
Mrs. Quilter and Sir Garnet W^olseley, a fine Tree Pzeony, Charles 
Dickens Rhododendron, and Grace Darling Rose. 
In addition to the fine Dendrobium Ainsworthi previously mentioned 
Mr. Bracegirdle had a very healthy Angrsecum sesquipedale carrying 
four spikes and ten massive flowers for first prize in the class for 
three Orchids; Mr. B. Taylor, gardener to E, Pryor, Esq., Aigburth, 
having a good Dendrobium Wardianum in the second prize stand. 
The special cool Orchid prize kindly given by Messrs. Jas. Cowan & Co., 
Garston, was won by Mr. T. Wilson with capital plants of Lycaste 
Skinneri and Odontoglossum triumphans. Azalea prizes for three and 
one, four and one Azalea mollis, and six pots of Freesias were all taken, 
by Mr. J. Kelly, gardener to R. Singlehurst, Esq., Aigburth ; Mr. Bounds,, 
gardener to C. L. Jones, Esq., Aigburth, won with table plants, four 
Azaleas in 8-inch pots, and one greenhouse Rhododendron ; 
Mr. T. Aikers, gardener to W. B. Bowring, Esq., was first with three- 
Callas, two pots Mignonette, and one Rhododendron ; whilst Mr, Lewis, 
gardener to S. Neal, Esq., Aigburth, again showed his superior skill by 
taking the first prizes for Cyclamen, Cinerarias, and Primulas; Mr- 
Heaton winning with two forced hardy plants. 
Certificates were granted to Dicksons, Limited, for a grand display 
of Narcissi, the admiration of all visitors; Messrs. Cowan & Co., Gar¬ 
ston ; and Charlesworth & Co., Bradford, for a varied and choice display 
of Orchids ; Messrs. T. Davies & Co., Wavertree, for a handsome contri¬ 
bution of miscellaneous plants and bulbs; Mr. H. Middlehurst, Man¬ 
chester Street, Liverpool, for Narcissi in variety and compact Migno¬ 
nette ; Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons for Azalea mollis (Kostar’s variety)- 
and Clivias ; Mr. W. Mason, Birkenhead, for plants and Edwardian ware ^ 
Messrs. W. J. Robertson & Co. for Palms; Mr. W. Kipps for fruits of 
La Grosse Sucr^e Strawberries ; and last, but not least, a special prize 
for four bunches Black Alicante Grapes in splendid preservation, and an 
excellent basket of La Grosse Sucr^e Strawberries, exhibibited by Mr. 
T. Elsworthy, gardener to A. R. Gladstone, Esq., Court Hey, Broad 
Green.—R. P. R. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Pines.— Early-started Fruiting Plants. —The Queen, Enville, and 
; Providence plants started early in the year are fast approaching the- 
flowering period, and will be benefited by an occasional syringing at the 
I time of closing the house, but it must be very light, and when the flowers 
! open should not be practised. As the foliage is as yet tender it will be 
desirable in the case of houses with large panes of glass to afford a 
slight shading for an hour or two in the hottest part of the day until the 
foliage becomes inured to the sun’s influence. When the flowering is 
over the fruit will advance rapidly if the roots are in good condition, 
and ample supplies of weak tepid liquid manure given as required. 
Attend to ventilating early in the morning, commencing when the 
temperature is at 80° and closing at 85° with sun heat. Keep the atmo¬ 
sphere moist by damping whenever the paths and other surfaces become 
dry, especially at closing time or early in the afternoon. The bottonv 
: heat should be kept steady at 80° to 90°, and the night temperature 70°, 
with 75° by day artificially. As soon as the suckers appear remove all 
except one to each plant. 
Vines.— For Early Worli. —Vines in pots afford creditable crops of 
early Grapes. The Vines for this purpose should now be in the pota 
they are required to fruit in, and have the growths trained as near to 
I the glass as possible without touching, so as to secure thoroughly 
I ripened wood. Better results, however, are had by planting the Vines 
in beds or borders after the method adopted with Cucumbers or Melons. 
[ A lean-to or three-quarters span-roof house, facing due south, answers 
I perfectly if it has a border about 3 feet wide along the front, and 
18 inches in depth, with hot-water pipes below for affording bottom heat. 
These may be disposed in a chamber or so as to allow of 6 inches depth, 
of rubble over them. The Vines intended for fruiting next year should 
be strong cut-backs, which have been forwarded in another structure, 
and attained the growth such as that of those transferred to the largest 
size of pots for fruiting. If they have made considerable progress, as 
they will by this time, they should be turned out with the ball entire,, 
firming the soil well about them. Turfy loam with an admixture of 
about one-sixth of old mortar rubbish forms a suitable compost, which 
need not be more than 15 inches in depth, and only sufficient used to- 
form a hillock for planting in and breadth enough for watering. Fresh 
soil must be added to the sides as the roots protrude, the object being to- 
keep the Vines perfectly under control. The canes being trained near 
tbe glass will make short-jointed wood. Stop the laterals at the first 
leaf, and the sub-laterals at one joint, and to every subsequent joint as 
made. Under this treatment the growths will be sturdy, food largely 
stored in the canes, also in the well-developed buds, and the wood 
ripen early and thoroughly. If well managed they will make canes like 
walking-sticks with eyes like nuts, and being as much under control as 
Vines in pots they can be matured early and given a rest, so as to be 
ready for a start by the early part of November. By this plan the root 
action is considerably extended, and this admits of correspondingly large 
feeding, the crops finishing better than those of Vines in pots. 
Grapes Ripening. —Vines in pots that have the Grapes ripe or advanced 
in ripening require very moderate supplies of water at the roots. To 
insure a full swelling on planted-out Vines inside borders should have, 
a thorough supply of water, ventilating early on fine days to allow 
excessive moisture to escape. A full crop of early Grapes is a great 
strain on the energies of the A^ine, and through it in early forcing per¬ 
fection in colour is not always attainable. Much may, however, be 
done by a liberal and constant supply of warm, rather dry air, combing! 
' with a comparatively low (C0° to G5°) night temperature, but that in 
